A Saskatoon organization has named all of Saskatchewan’s frontline healthcare workers as recipients of a special award.

The B’nai Brith Lodge 739, based in Saskatoon, did things a little differently for its 66th annual Silver Plate Dinner on Nov. 4. Not only was the fundraiser a virtual event this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization presented its their We Are Proud of You award to frontline healthcare workers.

Dr. Steven Goluboff, a long-time member of the group, suggested that this year they honour Saskatchewan’s healthcare workers.

“We’ve been having these dinners for 66 years, and for the past 35 to 40 years, have been handing out the We Are Proud of You award to citizens who do a lot for our community, but have never been publicly recognized before,” Goluboff said. “We usually single out individuals — we’ve only ever given it to one other group before — but we thought, because we have to hold a different sort of event this year, why not do something different and recognize our frontline healthcare workers as a group?”

His fellow members jumped on board with him.

“We all felt it was appropriate to nominate these special people who have an incredible impact on what has happened, what is still happening and what will happen during this pandemic,” he said.

Dr. Tony Haddad, a cardiac fellow and former Chief Medical Resident, and Registered Nurse Caitlin Folk accepted the award on behalf of healthcare workers.

In the years to come, when they look back at 2020, everyone will remember what happened that year, Goluboff said. “This has been an epic year for everyone. We will never forget it.”

B’nai Brith Lodge is an organization that includes members of Saskatoon’s small Jewish community. While its numbers are small in number, they have a mighty impact in Saskatoon.

The We Are Proud of You Award is sponsored by Faisal Khorshid, Dennis Neith and Associates IG Private Wealth.